Gear-controlled padlock.



HQM. SPRAGUB. GEAR GONTROLLED PADLOGK.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY '7, 1913.

PatentedMay 5, 1914.

ffzar@ 5 77zesses.'

7 1/i @M7mm HORACE IVI. SPR'AGUE, 0F

DENVER, COLGRADO, .AS-SIGNOR TO WILLIAM GROSS,

maaier.

Application led .uly 7, 1913. Serial No. 777,773.

To all zo .7mm 'it may concern.'

Be it known that if, HORACE M. SrRAGUn, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Gear Controlled Padlock, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in gear controlled locks, and the objects of my invention are: first, to provide a lock having a combined locking and key mechanism, and second, to provide a lock in which a gear and pinion mechanism is combined with an oscillating movement to lock and unlock the lock. I attain these objects by the mechanisin illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

' Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View showing the preferred form of my improved lock, the key being partially inserted. Fig.

2 is also a longitudinal sectional view of the same, on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3

is a transverse sectional view thereof, on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is an end view ofthe cap showing the bolt-receiving apertures therein. Fig. 5 is an end view of the lock, the cap, the bolts, and the toothed disks being removed. Fig. 6 is a side view of the outer casing. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal see` tional view of a modified form of the lock in which two pairs of toothed disks are employed, one pair being above the other and slightly to one side thereof. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further modification in which three toothed disks are arranged in progressive order, the plane of their axes being inclined. Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a still further modification in which a pinion shaft takes the place of one of the toothed disks. Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on the line 1Q12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the form of key used in connection with the lock shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 14 is an end view thereof. Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view of the form of key used in connection with the locks shown in Figs. 7 and 11. Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view of the form of key used in connection with the lock shown in Fig. 9. And Fig. 17 is a view of one of the locking bolts.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, illustrate the preferred form of my improved lock; the numeral 1 indicates a cylindrical sleeve, which forms the easing of the lock. One end of this sleeve is interiorly threaded for a suitable distance, and a cylindrical core 2 is inserted in the sleeve and lextends from where the threads terminate, to and flush with the opposite end of the sleeve. The core is secured in the sleeve by any suitable means, preferably by a rivet 3, which is iinished flush with the surface of the casing. A cap block 4 is screwed into the threaded end of the sleeve or casing, and against the end of the core 2.l This block is provided with ears 5, between which one end of a semi-circular clasp or shackle 6, is pivotally secured. The other end of this clasp terminates in a reduced Catch portion 7, which, when the clasp is closed, tits into a. correspondingly shaped recess 8 in the outer face of the block 4, the recess 8 extending from the center of the block through its threaded periphery, as shown in Fig. 1. The recess 8 is positioned to register with a correspond-V ing reeessQ in the edge of the sleeve 1, when the sleeve is given a quarter turn thus to release the clasp and allow the same to swing out7 the clasp being locked by the margin of the sleeve before the sleeve is turned to cause the recesses 6 and 9 to register. The manner of locking the block against turning is accomplished in the followingl manner: nto the inner end of the block are drilled four bolt-receiving apertures 10, the two youter apertures being on a slightly higher plane than the two inner apertures, and the apertures 10 register with bolt retaining apertures 11, in the core 2, which latter apertures extend to within a slight distance of the opposite end of the core. Into the apertures 11 are placed coil springs 12, and against these springs are placed bolts 13 and 14, the forward portions of which, when the apertures 10 and 11 register, are forced into the apertures lOby the expansivel force of the springs 12, and thus prevent the block' 4 from being turned. The manner of retracting the bolts to release the block, is as follows: rlhe rear portions of the bolts 13 and 14 are provided with annular teeth 15, which are engaged bypinion wire shafts 16, and 17,V respectively, which have bearings in transverse,apertures 16, formed in the core 2, in which apertures the said pinion shafts turn loosely. I preferably employ four of these shafts, one for each of the outer bolts 14, and one for each of the inner bolts 13, the inner ends of each pair of alined shafts touching, as shown by Figs. 2 and 3. The core 2 is provided with parallel narrow slot-s or recesses 19, which are milled into it from one side, and which extend from its forward end to within a slight distance of its rear or bottom end, the wall between them supporting the inner ends of the pinion shafts 16 and 17, as clearly shown by Fig. 3. These slots or recesses 19 form housings for irregularly toothed disks or gears 2O and 21, which are secured upon the shafts 16 and 17 respectively, the axial holes in the said disks having toothed marginal edges to cor respond to the cross-sectional outline of the pinion wire shafts, so that when they are placed upon the said shafts they are thereby' keyed thereon, so as to rotate with the shafts. The gears 29 are preferably of less diameter than the gears 21, but the teeth thereon, as shown, correspond in arrangement to the teeth on the disks 21, though a different arrangement of teeth for each of the gears 2() and 21 may be employed if desired. Parallel slots 22 are formed through the bottom of the core 2, which form shallow continuations of the slots 19, and extend through the periphery of the core. A portion of the lower edge of the wall between the slots 19 is also cut away, so that with the inner surface of the sleeve 1, a4 lil-shaped key slot is formed, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, in which may be inserted a key 28, of the form shown in Figs. 13 and le, which are respectively a plan view and an end View of said key. The upturned side ribs 24 of this key are notched or toothed to correspond to the toothed edges of the disks or gears 29 and 21, so that when the key is inserted in the key slot it first engages and turns the gears 21, which turn the pinion wire shafts 17, which mesh with the toothed ends of the bolts 141, which are thereby retracted. Before the bolts 141-. are fully retracted, the end of the key begins to engage the gears 20 on the shafts 16, which latter shafts engage and retract the bolts 18, so that by the time the key is fully inserted, the bolts 18 and 14 are withdrawn from the apertures 10 in the cap block, which permits the turning of either the said cap block or the casing until the respective recesses S and 9 register, when the shackle G may be turned on its pivot, so that its reduced end 7 passes out through the said registering recesses 8 and 9, thus accomplishing the unlocking operation. The locking operation is accomplished by turning either the cap block or casing until the recesses 8 and 9 register, when the shackle is turned to enter the recess 8 in the block, as shown in Fig. 1; the casing is then turned until the apertures 10 in the block register with the apertures 11 in the core, when the bolts 13 and 14- are sprung into the said apertures 10 by the expansive force of the springs 12. By having a separate shaft for each wheel, the chance of throwing the bolts 13 and 1a by any other means than by the proper key, is practically eliminated. As a further means of preventing picking of the lock, 1 place short blocks 2st in the bottoms of the apertures 10, against which the forward ends of the bolts 13 and 1e abut, as

shown clearly in Fig. 2, which blocks would drop, as the bolts are withdrawn, and pre` vent. turning of the sleeve 1, unless the bolts were fully retracted and held in this position. r1`he shafts 16 and 17 are made of what is commonly known as pinion wire, which in cross-section is similar to an ordinary pinion wheel.

1n Figs. 7 and 8, 1 illustrate a lock which embodies the same principle as the form of lock above described, but differs slightly in the arrangement of its toothed disks or gears. 1n this form of lock, the casing 1 is the same as in Fig. 1, but its core 25 is provided with a substantially Z-shaped slot 2G, which extends from its forward end, to within a short distance of its opposite end, and is continued through the latter end in the form of a key slot 27, as shown, of the same outline, but of considerably less length. The parts of this slot which are off-set with respect to each other, form housings for pairs of irregularlytoothed gears 28 and 29, the gears 2S being of less diameter than the gears 29. A gear 2S and a gear 29 are arranged in tandem order in each wing of the slot, the gears 29 being in advance of the gears 28, and these gears are mounted respectively upon pinion wire shafts 30 and 81, which are mounted in transverse holes 82, which extend through the core. The shafts 39 engage the threaded ends of bolts 33, which. are housed in apertures which eX- tend to within a slight distance of the shafts 31, and the shafts 31 engage bolts 34k, which are housed in apertures which entend nearly to the bottom end of the core. l. The gears 2S and 29 may be formed with any desired arrangement of teeth, and are operated by a key 35, a cross-section of which is shown in Fig. 15I

in Figs. 9 and 10, a further modification of the lock is shown. 1n this forni, 1 employ a sleeve or casing 36, a portion of the bottoni end of which is internally threaded as shown at 37. A core 38, which is threaded at its lower end, extends entirely Vthrough the sleeve and has integral earse-not shown on its upper end, between which the shackle 39 is pivoted, the opposite end of the shackle fitting in a recess 49 in the end of the core, which is positioned to register with a coi responding recess 19A in the end of the sleeve,

Awhich are irregularly toothet,

which is positioned the same as the recess 9, shown in Fig. G. A longitudinal slot 41 is formed in the core on one side of its center, and three pinion Wire shafts, Ll2, 43 and 441 extend transversely and at regular intervals through the core, but on different planes, the shaft el being nearest the axial center of the core, While the shaft el2 is farthest from the axial center of the core. Upon these shafts, and Within the slot 111, are mounted gears 45, 46 and L17 respectively,

and the arrangement of the teeth on each Wheel being different from that of each of the others. Bolt apertures 45A extend centrally through the core, at right angles'to the shafts, and

'in the sleeve bolt shown in Fig. 17, are carried by the register with corresponding apertures 116A Bolts 451A, similar 'to the apertures 45A, and are projected into the holes 46A in the sleeve, by springs 4S, which bear against the opposite ends of the bolts. The toothed portions of these bolts are in mesh With the shafts 42, L13 and A key slot 49 extends through the bottom of the core, one side of which is formed by the inner surface of the casing, the slot being substantiallyV V- shaped in cross-section, as

shown in Fig. 10. The key 50 for operating this lock, is of the form shown in cross-section in F ig. 1G, one of its Wings or blades being provided with three tiers of teeth, shaped to correspond to the teeth on the gears 45, 4G and e?, and When the key is inserted in the lock, it engages all of the gears at the same time, so that the bolts 17A are retracted simultaneously, as the pinion shafts rotate with the gears. The shackle 39 is released in the manner-before described, by giving the sleeve 36 a partial rotation so as to cause the recesses 40 and 0^ to register.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a still further modification in which employ a casing 51, a portion of the lower end of which is internally threaded. A core 52, similar to that shown in Fig. 9, is inserted in the casing, its lower end being threaded to engage vthe threaded portion of the casing. The upper ends of this core and its casing are in all respects identical with the arrangement shown in Fig. 9, and a description thereoil is unnecessary. The core 52 is provided with a longitudinal slot on one side of its axial center, which terminates adjacent to the casing in a substantially Z-shaped bend. A pinion shaft 5st extends transversely through the core centrally of its Width and at right angles to its axis, and carries a gear 55, which is housed by the slot 53. A second pinion shaft 56 extends transversely through the core, but on a plane farther from the axial center of the core than the shaft 54. The shaft 54 engages a bolt 57, and the shaft 56 engages a bolt 58, Which bolts slide in apertures in the core and are projected in opposite directions by springs 59, to enter registering holes in the casing, the shafts 54C and 56 engagingopposing sides of the bolts so that they are retracted in opposite directions. The shaft 56 carries no pinion and is engaged directly by the toothed end portion of a key (30, which is also provided `With a toothed portion 61, which engages the gear 55, the key, which is of the form shown iny cross section in Fig. 15, being inserted through a correspondingly shaped aperture (i2, in the bottom of the core. By turning the gears, one tooth in either direction from a given position, a differentarrangement or order of the teeth is presented, and as the teeth are irregularly formed, as many suoli changes in their order or arrangement is obtained as there are teeth on any one of the gears. Thus With one set of gears, combinations of teeth may be obtained, requiring as many different keys as there are teeth on a gear.

The form of lock herein described is practically indestructible, and the arrangement of its mechanism is such as to eliminate the chance of its being unlocked with any other than the proper key.

Having described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A lock as specified, comprising a body portion, a shackle pivotally and rotatably mounted in one end of the body portion, and adapted to be held by said body port-ion when in one position, and released when given a partial rotation thereon, locking means for preventing rotation of the said shackle, mechanism for retracting said locking means, and a key for operating said mechanism.

,2. A lock as specified, comprising a body portion, a block rotatably secured in one end of said body portion, a shackle pivoted to said block, and adapted to be engaged by said body portion in one position of the block, and to be released by said body portion When the block is given a partial rotation, means for locking the block against rotation, mechanism for retracting the locking means, and alrey for operating said mechanism.

3. A lock as specified, comprising a body,

block rotatably secured in one end of said i ing a radially disposed recess, a recess being formed on the end of the body, a shackle piv oted at one end to the block, the free end of which is adapted to enter the recess in the block and to be held thereon by the body in one position of the block, and to be released when the blocl: is turned to canse its recess to register with that in the end of the body, spring-actuated bolts carried by the body, which enter the block and prevent rotation of the saine, inechanisin for retracting the bolts, and a hey for operating the mechanisin.

5. A lock as specified, comprising a body having a threaded recess in one end, a bloeit threaded in said recess haring a radially-disposed slot in its outer end, a slot being` formed in the rirn of the body, a shackle pivoted at one end to the block, the free end of which is adapted to enter the recess in the block, and to be held therein by the said rini in one position of the block and to be released when the block is turned to cause its slot to register with that in the rirn of the body, springactuated bolts carried by 'the body, which enter the block and prevent rotation of the saine, gearing for reti-acting said bolts, and a hey for operating said gearing.

(i. li lock as specified, comprising a body consisting of a solid core and a sleeve rigidly secured upon the core and of greater length, the extended portion of said sleeve being internally threaded, and haring` a slot in its rini, a block threaded ,in saidrcxtended portion and hai/'ing a radial slot extending through its periphery, a shackle pivoted at one end to said block, the free end of which is adapted to enter the slot in the block, and. to be held therein by the said riin, in one position of the block, and to be reliased therefroin when the block is rotated to cause its slot and the slot in the said rim 'to register, springnctnaled bolts in said core, -which en ter holes in said block and prevent the saine from rotating, said bolts haw/ing toothed portions, pinion shafts in said core in nirsh. with the threaded portions of said bolts, gears on said pinion shafts, and a he' for turning sain gears.

7. in a lock as specified, the coinoination of a lgiody, a block rotatably secured in one end thereof, a shackle at one end. of said block, the other endl of Which is adapted to be held by the body in one position of the block and to be released when the block is given a partial rotation, springactuated bolts carried by the body, Which enter and lock the block against rotation, said bolts harina toothed portions, pinions carried by the body in mesh with the toothed portions of said bolts, irregularly-toothed gears rigid upon said pinions, said body having a key slot in line with said gears, and a hey toothed to correspond with said gears and adapted to be inserted in said slot.

S. A lock as specified, comprising a body, a block rotatably secured in one end thereof, a shackle hinged at one end to said block, mechanism for locking the block against rotation, and a key for operating said inechanisni to release the block, the free end of said shackle being engaged by the end of the body in one position of the block, and released therefroin when the block is given a partial rotation.

9. A loch specified, comprising a body consisting of a solid core and a sleeve sccured thereon, of greater length than the core, the extended portion of the sleeve being internally threaded, a block threaded in said extended portion, haring a radial recess eX tending through its periphery7 the rini of said sleeve being also provided with a recess, a shackle hinged at one end to said block, the other end of which is adapted to enter the recess in the block and to be held therein in one position of the block and to be released when the block is rotated to cause its recess to register with that in the said riin, said bloei; and core having longitudinal, registering apertnres, spring-actuated bolts in the core apertures which enter the apertures in the block, said bolts having toothed portions, pinions in mesh with said toothed portions, irregularly-toothed gears rigid upon said pinions, and a key for engaging said gears, short circular blocks being loosely mounted in the holes of the block against Which the ends of the bolts abut.

ln testimony whereof l aihx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

' HORACE li/i. SFRAGUE.

1l'lifitnesses:

G. Snnonn'r llhimoaa, Arianna M. FoWLn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. C. 

